Wire-stitcher head



, June 10,1930. "RMETCALFEHL 1,762,235

-WIRE STITGHER HEAD K Filed oct. 24; 19:28V '7 sheds-Sheet 1 June 10, 1930- l. R. METcALF Elf AL WIRE STITCHER HEAD June 1o; 1'930. l. METCALFEML l 1,762,235

WIRE sTITcHER HEAD .Filed oct. 24. 1928 7 sheets-sheet 4v l 7 .Hume E09 E93@ l. R. METCALF ET AL WIRE l STITCHER HEAD Filed 00?.. 24, 1928 11111111 flauw.

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7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Spam? Jm@ -m wm. R, METCALF Er AL @362,235

WIRE STITCHER HEAD Filed'Oct. 24. 1928 '7 Sheets-Sheet 6 gya-- me www. R Mgg-ALF ET- A.. f www5 WIRE STITCHER'HEAD Filed oct. 24, 1928 'I sheets-sheet 7 Pateniea June 10,1930

UNITED STATES PArENi-OFFICE Inviare n. nErcAu, GEORGE L. RICHARDSON, AND :tomi wom?,y or cnIcAGO,

Nors, assumons' T o Lamm Macrmmnv- COMPANY, A CORPORATION or ILLINOIS v WIRE-surnom nnen Appncation'mewoctoher 24, 192s. sexism. 314,618.

lhe present invention relates to ai novel and improved form of 'a narrow type of w1re- -stitcher head for the forming of wire staples.

One of the objects tion is to providea -novel and roved form' of a wirestitcher head mec anism and driving which is simple and compact in construe#` tion and in a narrow form so that Aa. great 1t number -of these h eads may jbe mounted in the machine Yfor s taplinga plurality of staplesdat one time and in which an individual hea mounted in the machine.

vide a stapling mechanism in which the `wire is fed to the 'stapling mechanism par- -allel to and onV one side of the staple former and driver and infwhich the feeding operation of the wire is accomplished on the up stroke ofA the staple forming and mechanism.

A further object of theV invention `is to provide in combination with my improved form of staple forming and drlving mechanism,a novel and improved form of wire straightening device. -A further object of the invention is 'to provide a novel and improved wire feeding mechanism of the roller type which permits an adjustment of the rollers thereof so that various l of wire may be ed to the staple forming and mechamsm.

A further object of the invention is t0 provide a novel and improved wire stitching mechanism in -which the cutter block may adjusted with respect to the for varying the length of' one of the le of the staple in zzo-operation withthe adjustment of the length of wire fed by the feeding mechanism.

A further object vof the invention is to provide a novel and improved form of anvil over which the wire is bent to form the staples and in which the wire is automati cally clamped therein -so that various sizes of wire within certain limits may be used..posl

to provide anovel construction of a stitch-V utilized to feed the wire downward- .of the present `inve'nl to the anvil and sever the same prior. to

. ment of the various may be quickly detached vfrom. or. 7Another object of the invention is pro..."

ing mechanism inJwhichthe upward stroke of the staple forming-and mechat e downward vstrokejofA forming and .drijfu the staple.` A

ese-and other objects are accomplished by providing a construction and arrangearts in thejmanner hereinafter describe and Vfparfticularlv -pointed out in the a pended claims.

liefen-ingame awingsrigif side elevational view of 'a conventional form of hing machineshowing my im roved` `form of stitcher head formed thereon? Fig. 2 is a fragmentary front elevational view of the machine shown in 1. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view' lshowing the construction of my -im-v proved form o f narrow stitcher head. Fig. 4 is a lfront elevational view of th stitche'r head shown in Fig. '3. Fig. `5 is a top plan 'ew of he? e nlzggfizn.- 1;"

1 1s anfe r en aryv1ew of agside of the vstitcher he'am showing the connection which operativelylforevolvesgthe a sauber anvilfor the wire m a vertical position to a horizontal position;

Fig.. 7 isa ragmen cross-sectional view Ytalken on' the lines -7 Fig. 8,'

showing the construction and operation' of view taken on the line8-8inFig. 7.

9 is -a cross-sectional view taken on v i l thehne 9-9 in Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a vragmentary cross-sectional. view taken on the line 10-10 in Fig. 7.

Fig. 11 is a iront elevational..

'ew with portions of the stitcher head rel moved showing the former and drlver at the completion forming of the staple. Fig. `fa similar view showing the` staple forming and driving position of the staple of the staple into the work..

o f the.' .i v

'on 'where the driver is'in the operationv pletion or`clinching of the staple in the work. Fig. 14 is a fragmentary, cross-sectional view showing the position of the stapling mechanism parts after the wire has been cut and the anvil turned to its horizontal position. Y Fig. 15 is a fragmentary side elevational view showing the. position of the various parts of the stapling mechanism at the conclusion of driving the staple into the work.

Fig. 16 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 16-16 in Fig. 15.

Fig. I7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view i taken on the longitudinal axis of the anvil.

Fig. 1 8 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 18-18 in Fig. 3, showing the wire feeding mechanism. f

Fi 19 is a detailed view showing the clute rack and gear mechanism for drivingthe wire feed rollers.

Fig. 20 is a vdetailed fragmentary side elevationall view of the wire feed rolls and an eccentric lock for holding the rolls out of wire feeding position, and

Fig. 21 shows diagrammatic views designated as A, showing the position in which the anvil receives the Wire; B, showing the position in which the cutter knife is about to sever the wire; C, the position in which the anvil is revolved so the Wire assumes a horizontal position; D, the position in which the former forms a staple over the anvil; E, the position in which the driver contacts with the staple just prior to driving the staple into the work, and F, showing the position of the, staple former and driver at the conclusion of clinching the staple into the work.

-The stitcher head here shown and described is of the narrow type and is adapted to be mounted on a conventional form of stitching machine in which one or more of these heads are required for stapling books, pamphlets and the like kbut for the purpose of illustration, I have shown a conventional type of stitching machine generally indi cated by the. reference character 25, which in turn, is provided with the usual horizontal arm 26 and work supporting arm,'27. Mounted in the arm 26 is a shaft (not shown) to which is secured at one end, a crank 28 which by means of a pitman connection 29 is operatively connected to the operating mechanism Vof the stitcher head in the manner hereinafter described. The wire is fed from a spool 30 journaled in a bracket 31, secured te he arm 26 in any -well known manner. The stiteher head generally indicated at 32 is' secured to a'. vertically disposed bracket 33 by`means of a bolt 34. The bracketa. secured to `the arm'26 in any well lmowriimanner. comprises anelongated stitcher head frame ,35 which is suit-lilyrecessed through the longitudinal length 'for the accommodation The stiteher Ahead 32 meaaazs of the Wire stitching mechanism hereinafter described.

Wire feeding mechanism,

' between for feeding the wire to the staple forming and driving mechanism.V One of the important features of the present invention consists in an arrangement in which the wire is fed to the staple forming and driving mechanism by the return or upward movement of the staple former and driver. This wire feeding mechanism comprising av primary wire feeding roll 36 which is secured to a pin 37. Formed integrally with the roll 36 is a spur gear 38. The roller 36 and gear 3S is secured to the pin 37 by means of the pin being provided with flat portions as shown at 39 which in turn, is adapted to be mounted in a corresponding irregular aperturef'in the gear and roller. The4 pin 37 is rotatably mounted in an aperture 4() formed in the stiteher frame 35 and the rotation of which is frictionally retarded by means of a pressure pin 4l mounted in an aperture 42 formed in thcframe 35. "'lhe pressure pin contactswith the peripheral surface of the pin 37 and is pressed inte engagenent therewith by a pressurespring 43. Formed on one side of the roller andconcentrically arranged with respect thereto, are ratchet teeth 44 which are adapted to be engaged by corresponding ratchet teeth 45 formed integrally with a pinion 46. The

pinion 46 and ratchet teeth 45 are j ournaled 'on the reduced portion of the pin 37. The

pinion 46 meshes with and is'operatively driven by a reciprocating rack bar 47 which is secured to the reciprocating driving block 48 by means of screws 49. The lratchet teeth 45 are Anormally urged into engagement with the'ratchet 44 by means of a spring 50 which contacts with a ring 51 which in turn contacts with the pinion 46 and ratchet 45. This spring is held in position by means of a washer 52 and set screw 1 53. From the above description, it will be noted that on the upward stroke of the rack 37 or on the return of the staple former' and the driver to its uppermost position,

the rack urges the pinion 45 in a direction to revolve the ratchet 44 and feed roller 36 to feed the wire downwardly and on the downward stroke of the rack ba-r 37 the ratchet 45 will slip by, compressing the spring 50 Without disturbing the rotation of the feed 4 roll 36.' On the downward strokeof the ratchet, it will be noted that the pressure pin 41 resists or frictionally locks the pin 37- from rotating inthe reversed direction. Co-operating with the feed roll 36 is` aI co-acting feed roll 54 which is jurnaled on the pin 55 mounted in a plvoted 'bracket 56. IThe bracket 56 is pivoted to the` frame 351by means of a pin 57.

Each of the wire feedrollers 36 and 54 are provided with co-acting wire camming projecting portions 36 and 54 respectively, which I impinge the wire 5,8 therebetween -for feeding it to the staple forming and driving mechanism in the mannerfherein--- after described. The free end of the bracket j 56 is -normally sprin pressed inwardly by means of spring 59 W `chinturn, is mountv ved -on a threaded pin60 which has oneV end pivoted to the frame as shown at 61 and,

the other end provided vwith a thumb nut as'shown at 62. The pin 60 extends through an aperturel 63 in thefreelend of .the bracket 5.6. This adjustment permits various de'- grees of tension to be placed on therollers for impin the wire therebetween.

FOrmedintegraIly with the roller 54 is 'a gear 64 Ywhich meshes with and is operatively 'driven by the gearBS. It will be noted that the feed rollers may be adjustedv so that various lengths of wire 'may be fedinto the staple forming and driving mechanism Y by merely changing the positionjof onel of v the rolls with respect to the other so that a greater or wardly against the tension ofthe spring 59 by means of a little eccentric lever 67 Awhich is pivoted as shown at 68 to the frame 35..

The leverf66` is provided with an inwardly extending projection 69 which is adapted to contact the inner side of the pivoted bracket 66 so that when the lever 67 is actuated upwardly it throws the bracket 56 outwardly from the frame so that the wire may be inserted between the rollers. (See Figs.

- 1a and 2o.)

v `mountedin corresponding Staple fomn'ng and dcz'ng mcmm'sm Y The staple forming 4and driving mechanisms are both driven by a single block. They. move together to a point where the staple is formed after which an automatic means unlocks the staple former from the staple driver so that the staple driver moves withv respect to the staple former for driv-V ing the staple'into the work. The recipro.

eating staple former and driver block- 48 is provided with laterally projecting'angd longitudinally extending ribs 70 which are ves 71 formed on the-"-Sinner recess 72- o the head frame 35.

u mock 'is'isprpviqee with a' forwardly pro..

i'ward face of the reciprocating op 97 formed 'in the block 48. .An intermediate jecting rib 73 beneath which is secured a staple driver 74. The reciprocating ydriver 74 is provided with a semi-circular recess on the rear side thereof, as shown at 75 which receives therein, a Senn-circular pro' jection l76 formed on the forward face of the. block 48 below the transverse rib 73 (seeFig. 8). The reciprocating driver 74 is movablymoun'ted in a recess 77 formed in the forward side yof the staple former 78,. The staple Vformer 78 is provided with two laterally-projecting ribs 79 which Vare vmounted ini'the vertically disposed recesses 71 formed in the -stitcher frame 35, (see Fig. 9). Extending vertically through'the reciprocating block 48 is a circular bore 8 0 in'which is'freciprocally mounted a pin 81. The upperportion of the pin 81 is provided with a circular recess as shown at 82 in I v which is mounted a compression spring 83.

This compression spring 83 is held under a tension by a transverse pin 84 which is mounted in a 'bore 85 located adjacent the top of thel block 48.v This pin 84 extends through vertically disposed slots 86 formed in the opposite sides of the vertical pin 81. i Froynfthe above description, it will be noted that the spring 83 normally presses the :pin 81 to its lowermost position with respect to the block 48.. .The lower end of the pin is provided with a recess as shown at 87 which engages a complementary projec- Vtion 88 formed on the upper end of lthe staple former 78. (See Figs. 8, 14 and 15.) The `.lower end of the pin 81 abuts against a .transverse member 89 which is secured to the rear side of the staple former 78 by a driving mechanism, both staple former 78 and staple driver 74 move together ,to a. point in which the ends of the wire are.

formed into a staple, .after which the further movement of the staple former ceases andthe driver continues further on to drive thestaple into thework. The staple former and driver are locked together and operatively driven by the reciproca block 48 byY a locking or'elutch pin 91' whlch is recipro- -cally mounted'in a transverse bore 92 loico . set screw 90. On the initial portion ofthe f downward strokel of the staple forming and on the rear side of the reciprocating pin 81.

The locking or clutch pin 91 is provided with a transversely extending portion v94 which also, is adapted to move in a horizontal slot 95 formed in the rear side of the block 48. The reciprocating or locking p in 91 is normally pressed inwardly by a spring 96 which is substantially U-shaped in constructionv and has its opposite ends bent in- A i wardly toward each other and mounted in vpositely disposed relation in the aperture portion of both legs of the spring 96 engages oppositely disposed pins` 98, secured to the opposite sides of the block 48. These pins normally press the free end of the spring inwardly, (see Figs. 3, 14, 15 and 16). The free end portion of the springs are mounted in vertically disposed grooves as shown at 99 formed in the transverse portion 94 of the locking pin 91. The locking pin 91 is disengaged from the recess 93 formed in the reciprocating pin 81 by oppositely disposed cammingv plates 100 which are secured to the opposite sides in the recess 72 of the frame by ineansof screws 101. These camming plates are provided With bevelled or camming portions 102 which engage the inwardly curved portions 103 ofthe trans' verse portion 94 of the locking pin 91. Pivoted to the staple former on a transverse pin 104 and in a recess 105 in' the staple former 7 8, is a staple supporter 106 which is provided with the usual pointed vcurved end 107 Vwhich is adapted toswing between the bifurcated portions of the staple former beneath the staple driver for supporting` the staple during the operation of driving the staple into the work. This staple supporter 106 is normally pressed forwardly into staple supporting position byv a curved flat spring 108 which has one end secured to the reciprocating block 48 by a screw 109 and its free end engaging the rearside of the lstaple supporter. The staple supporter 106 is normally swung out of staple' supporting 'position by a transverse pin 110 `extending transversely therethrough and adapted to engage the eamnung surfaces 111 formed on the lower end of the camming plates 100.

Wire cutting mechanism The wire cutting mechanism comprises a cutter block 112 whlch is secured 1n any well known manner to a front plate 113 which in turn is seated in a suitable recess 114 formed on the front `face of and extends longitudinally on both sides of the stitcher head -fraine 35. The cutter block 112 'is vertically adjustable with respect to the anvil hereinafter described by means of a thumb nut 115 which has its threaded portion as shown at 116 mounted in threaded engagement with a threaded bore 117 formed inthe upper end of the cutter block 112. Y-EXtending vertically and longitudinally through the cutterblock is an aperture 118 through which the wirel 58 is fed. Located transversely of and at the lower side of the cutter block 112 is a horizontal rectangular recess 119 in which is reciprocally mounted, a cutter knife 120. The cutter knife 120 isprovided with a cutting edge 121 (see Figs. 7, 8

and 9), which is adapted to move trans' versely of the aperture 118 in the cutter block, for severing the wire. The cutter knife 120 is reci procally actuated by a pivot- Vanvil supporting frame 136.

ed lever 122 which is pivoted on a pin 123 mounted in the .cutter block' 112 in any well known manner. This reciprocating lever 122 is mounted in a substantially semi-circular recess 124 formed in the cutter block and has its free end or downwardly projecting arm as shown at 125 mounted in a recess 126 formed in the reciprocating knife 120. One side of the pivoted lever 122 is provided with camming projections 127 and 128 which are adapted to be actuated by a forwardly extending projection 129 formed on a reciprocating bar 130. The reciprocating bar 130 is slidably mounted in a recess 131 formed between one edge ofthe staple former 78 and the side of the frame 35. (See Fig. 16.) On the upward stroke of the reciprocating bar 120, the forwardly extending projection 129 engages the cam 127 of the lever 122 so as to operate the free end 125 in a direction to the right` (see Fig. 7), so that the cutter knife 120 is reciprocated in the same direction for severing the wire. The upper end of the reciprocating bar 113 is provided with an inwardly projecting eXten- -sion 131 which is adapted to engage a forthe forwardly projecting transverse rib 132.

of the reciprocating block 48. If it is desired to lengthen the legs of the staple, the feed rolls, or rather', the wire engaging projections thereof, are adjusted with respect to eachother so as to vary the length of the wire fed to the anvil. This adjustment, of course, lengthens one endof the wire extend- 'ing beyond the lower side of the anvil andto lengthen the other wire extending above thelongitudinal center of the anvil before the wire is turned to its horizontal position,

the cutter box 112 may be moved upwardly so that the length of the Vwire severed is either increased or diminished to correspond with the length of'wire projecting below the center of the anvil. This adjustment is made by unscrewing the thumb screw 115. and' adjusting the cutter box upwardly then clamping the thumb screw 115 to the pivoted member 134 which is pivoted at 135 to the This anvil supporting frame 136, in turn, isV secured by means of screws 137 in suitable recesses 138 formed in Athe outside of the frame 35.

The wire is fed from the spool 30 through' a wire straightening device 139 which is clamping screw 142. From this straightenwhich the wire passes. This straightening device is provided witha longitudinal extending slot 141 which slidingly receives` a ing device, the wire' is passed through a ,tension device which comprises two oppositely disposed discs 143, spring 144 and adjusting Staple forming anvil Another feature of the prescrit invention is the provision of a novel form of anvil whlch 1s adapted to accommodate various sizes of wires and clamp and support the same therein, regardless of the size of the wire within certain limitations. This 4construction comprises a reciprocable and rotatable anvil 148 which is substantially cylindrical in form and is rotatably and reciprocally mounted in a cylinder barrel 149 formed integrally with the anvil su porting member 136, (see Figs. 3, 8 and 1 The inward portion of theanvil is provided with a tapered end 150, which is adapted to move in between the legs of the staple former f 78 and be engaged by thetapered portion 151 formed on the-forward side of the staple driver 74 for moving thel anvil outwardly -with respect -to the frame in the operation of driving the staple. Mounted in a transverse slot 152 'on the inward end of the anvil v148 is a pivoted clamping member 153 which is pivoted-on pin 154 extending transversely through the anvil, The inward end ofthe clamping member 153 is provided with a slot 1-55 .whichrsubstantially coincides with va longitudinally extending slot 156 formed in the anvil 148 proper, when the clamping member is in its non-clamping position. These slots substantially-coincide with each other for receiving the wire-v 58 therein, .when the edgel 157 of the clamping member 153 contacts with the front surface vof the driver 74'.. -The wire is normally clamped lbetween these 4slots bythe action of a reciprocating pin 156 which is pressed in the direction of the clamping member 153 by a compression spring 159. The compression spring 159' is held under spring, tension bv a threaded screw 160 which is mounted in a threaded borev 161 located in the outer end of the anvil 148. '(See Fig. 17.) When the anvil is in its normal wire receiving position or' a position in which the slots 55 rand 56 are verticall disposed for receiving the wire 58 therem, the clamping member 153 is` in the position shown in- Fig. 7, in which position the clamping member is forced bythe outer I edge 157 of the clamping member 153 contacting with the outer surface of the staple driver 74 as clearly shown in F' 15.

The anvil is rotated from its wire receiving position as shown in Figs. 7 and 8 to a position in which the wire is held horizontally for being formed in the-form of av staple or for a position shown at C, Fig. 21. By the action of a reciprocating har 162 which is mounted in a recess 163 formed between the head frame 35 and the staple V former 78 opposite the reciprocating bar 130. The upper end of. the reciprocating har 130 is'provided with an inwardly projecting lug 164' which is located in the path ofthe transverse rib 132 formed on the Projecting inwardly from the bar 162 and located midway or centrally of the bar thereof, is a second projectin lug Y165 which is also located'in the path o the transverse rib 132 of the reciprocating block 48 and is adapted to be engaged thereby'for moving the bar downwardly for the purpose hereinafter described. Formed integrally .with or secured to the bar 162 adjacent the lug 165, is a forwardly projectinghollow tubufront face of the reciprocating block 48.v

lar member 166. The outer end of the hollow tubular member 166 is provided with a longitudinal slot 167 lwhich communicates with the transverse slot 168 together' forming substantially a keyhole slot whichv is a projecting pin 169 secured toone side of the sleeve or collar 170. The sleeve or collar 170 is provided with a circular recess 171 which telesco ically' receives the tubular member'166 see -Figs. and 10).` Secured 'to the yforward end f the sleeve 170 by having a Vportion thereof riveted over as shown at 172, is a spring connecting .bar l173 which is provided on its lower end an' inwardly extending pin 174 whlch 1s.

adapted. to seat itself in a circulail recess .17 5 located eccentrically of the longitudinal center of the enlarged circular portion 176 of th anvil 148.. The tubular member 166 extends through an elongated slot v17'( formed in the front plate 113.- From the above descriptionfit will beissen 'that at the end of the down stroke ofY the staple former and driver, the transverse 132 of the reciprocating block 48 engages the lprojection 165 of the reciprocating bar 162 shown in Fi 13',.which movement actulates or rotates he anvil tothe position as shown in Fig. 15. The anvil is held rigidly inthe position shown in Fig. 8 by an outwardly projecting pin 178 secured to the anvil in any well known manner. This-pin adapted to receive in engagement therewith engages a stop 179 formed Yby a peripheral recess ,-180 cut -in thecylindrical anvil .supporting .member T149.' At this barrel orv I point it will be noted that clampingmember Aof the head or frame 35. l

is held in operative relation with the pinion 153 contacts with the driver 74 so that the respective slots of the anvil and clamping member are in alignment, after the wire is fed into the slots and 56 at the inward end of the anvil b'y the upward stroke of the staple former and driver, the severing mechanism is brought into operation to sever the wire as previously described. It will also be noted that on the upward stroke of the staple former and driver that the transverse rib 132 of the reciprocating block 148 engages the projection 164 formed -on the reciprocating bar 162 and through 'the spring connection 173 with the bar 162, the anvil is rotated to the position shown in Fig. 3 and pressed inwardly by the action of the spring' 173 so that the pin 178 is seated in the, base of a longitudinal slot 181 formed in the lower side of the barrel 149, thus locking the anvil rigidly, and in a manner in which the ends of the wires projecting equal distances on both sides of the anvil as shown at C, Fig. 21, preparatory to forming the wire into a staple as shown at D Fig. 21. The reciprocating b1ock48 is provided with a rearwardly projecting pin 182 which in turn has a reduced portion 183 mounted in a threaded aperture 184 formed in the block 48. This pin may be operatively connected to the connecting rod 29 for reciprocating the block and driving the staple forming and driving mechanism. The head is provided with a rear transverse and vertically disposed wall 185 which in turn, is provided with a centrally disposed transverse T-shaped groove 186, which inturn, is adapted to receive a complementary transverse. T-supporting rib 187 secured to the bracket 33. The stationary head frame 35 is secured thereon by the nut 34 which enters the threaded bore 188 formed in the vertically disposed wall 185 The rack bar 47 46 by means of a rear transverse plate 189 which 1s secured in position by bolts 190 to l ghe upper end of the stationary head frame of wire is in the staple former 148 and in' which the staple former is in the position shown'in this ligure` which is the same positlcn as is shown in C Fig. 21 and that the ,operation of the machine through the pitman connection 29 moves the pin 182 and the block 48 downwardly,thereby forcing the staple former78 downwardly so as to -form the ends of the wire into a staple as shown at D Fig. 21. When the reciprocating block reaches a position on its downward movement so that the transverse por? locking rib 76. Atv the conclusion of the v downward stroke of the driver 74, the staple is clinched into the work as shown at F, Fig. 21. It'will, of course, be understood that during the operation of the former in forming the staple 'over the anvil, that the staple supporting member 106 is actuated between the legs of the staple former by the action of the pressure spring 108 and its operation is controlled by the camming portion 111 of the-camming plate 100. so that the stapleis supported in proper position by the former Vand contact with the staple driver which forces the staple former out of staple supporting position on its downward movement in a manner well understood in the art. It will, also, be understood that on the downward stroke of the staple driver, the curved pointed surface 151 of the staple driver will engage the beveled surface 150 of the anvil 148 to force the same outwardly against the action of the pressure spring 173 in a manner well understood in the art.y But vin addition thereto, will actuate the clamping member 153 about its pivot 154 in the anvil so that the slots 155 and 156 of the clamping member 153 and anvil 148, respectively, will coincide or register so that the wire is permitted to enter these slots preparatory to receiving the wire therein.

vJust subsequently to the operation of forming the staple, as shown in Fig. 12 and D of Fig. 21, the transverse rib 132 of the reciprocating block 48 contacts with the inwardly extending lug 133 of the reciprocating bar 130 to actuate this bar downwardly so that the outwardly extending lug 129 contacts with the camming projection 128 of the knife lever 122 to return the knife to its home position or the position shown in Figs. 7 and 9, preparatory to severing the next length of wire for the succeeding staple. Subsequently to this operation the other end of the transverse rib 132 of the reciprocating block 48 contacts with the inwardly extending lug 165 of the reciprocating bar 162 for actuating the anvil and causing the same to rotate tof its wire receiving position or the position shown in Flgs. 8 and 15 through the connection 173. On the initial portion of the' upward or return stroke ofv the reciprocating block 48, the

the reciprocating -Y catinofA i 'from the front or inner i the clutch or ratchet teeth formed inte- It will, of course,

155 andI 1564of the `anvil respectively,

driver 74 and block, moves relatively to the i staple former 78 until the locking pin 91 .is released or permitted to be pressed inwardly by the action of the' camming surfaces 102 ofeach of the camming plates 100 until the locking pin 91 again seats itself in the recess '93 formed in the rear side of pin 81. The staple former 7 8 is normally maintained stationary during ing a portion of the upward movement of the block 48 by the action of the pressure spring 83 having its upper end engaging transverse pin 84 mounted in the upper end of the block 48 and the other end of the spring normally pressing the pin 81 downwardly in the bottom of the recess 82 formed in the pin. As the block 48 moves upwardly it carries with it the reciprocating rack bar 47, the teeth of which engage and operativedrive the pinion 48 which in turn, through grally with this pinion, engages the ratchet teeth 44 of the feed roll 36 thereby revolving the roll 36. AThroughthe gear 38 and coml plementary gear 64 the complementary feed roller 54 is driven so as to-impingethe Wire between the wire feeding camming surfaces of' each of these rollers, respectively. At the conclusion of the feeding operation of these rollers, the transverse bar 32 of the reciprocating block 4S engagesl the inwardly projecting lug 131 of the reciprobar 130` to move said bar upwardly and thereby, lug 129 to engage the camming projection 127 of the knife lever 122 to actuate the knife 120 to the right when looking. at Fig. 7 to sever the wire. On a further movement of the reciprocating block 48 up,wardly,the transverse rib 132 contacts with the inwardly extending lug 164 of the reciprocatingactuates the anvil again bar 162 and thereby, to `a position in which it holds the severed Wire horizontally as shown at C in Fig. `21. be noted that during the downward movement -o f` the wire by the action of the feed rollers, that the clamping member 153 is held in position so that the 'slot 55 in this clamping member registers with the slot 56 in the anvil 148 by reason of the inward edge 157 of the clampin member/ 156 contacting -With `the outer the driver, as clearly shown in Fig. 15, and that just at the conclusion of the wire feeding operationv and just prior to the wire severing operation, the driver 4is withdrawn' edge of the anvil so as to ermit the'reciproeating pin 158 to actuate t e clamping member'by' the .spring 159 tof clamp the. wire between the slots clamping member and so that the possibility of the severed wire slipping or'sliding out of osition'in the anvil, rior tobeing formed mtoa-stapl e,jis elimlnated'. r

.of the wire v.preparatory to causethe' forwardly projecting v ace of From the above Ispecification, it will be seen that we have provided a novel and improved form' of a narrow stitcher head in which feed rollers are actuated for feeding lwire vertically down 'and parallel to the staple forming and driving mechanism and in which the feeding operation is performed during the upward or return stroke of the staple forming and driving members. It` willalso, be noted, that we have provided a mechanism in which the severing of the wire is accomplished at substantially the conclusion of the upward or return stroke of the staple forming and driving members and that just prior to the conclusion of the' return stroke of these members, the anvil is turned -so that the wire is presented in a horizontal position beneath and in the path of the staple former and driver. It will be noted that by dividing the cycle of operations, that is, operating the feed of the wire, the severing' of the wire and the positioning vforming the staple by the upward or return stroke of the forming and driving members that we have so divided the cycle ofoperation of these movable parts in suc 'a sequence of opera-- tion, that the speed of the staple forming and driving mechanism maybe increased to a maximum without necessarily overloading the operating parts of the machine.

lVhile in the above specification -we have described one embodiment which our invention may assume in practice, it will, of course, be understood that the same is capable of modification and that modification may be employed without departing from the spirit and scope of our invention as described in the following claims. Whatwe claim as our invention and 'desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A wire stitcher comprising a mechanism for feeding wirel in the direction 'of drive, a wire severing means, a staple forming and driving means operativelyvrelated to said wire feeding and severing'means, 4and means whereby said wire feeding mechanism is actuated to feed the wire on the return stroke of said staple forming and driving mechanism. f

2. 'A wire, stitcher comprising a mechanism for feeding the wire in of drive, a wire severing means, staple forming and driving means, and means for driving said wire feeding mechanism by the returnstroke of said staple forming and driving means.`

the 'direction 3. A wire stitcher comprising a mechadriving'. mechanism.

' frame,

rollers mounted 4. A wire stitcher comprising intermittently actuated rollers for feeding wire in the direction of drive, a wire severing means, staple forming 'and driving means, and means operatively connecting said staple forming and driving means with said rollers for feeding the wire downwardly on the upward stroke of said staple forming and driving mechanism.

5. A staple forming and driving mechanism comprising` a frame, intermittent-ly rotatable wire feed rollers mounted on said frame for feeding wire inthe directionlof drive, and wire severing means mounted 011 said frame and operatively related to said feeding mechanism and severing means so that on the upward stroke of said staple former and driving means, the wire is fed downwardly and at the conclusion of the feeding of said wire, Said severing means is actuated to cut said wire.

6. A staple forming and driving machine comprising a frame, intermittently actuated wire feed rollers mounted on said frame for feeding the wire in the direction of drive,

severing means mounted onsaid frame, a`

rotary staple forming anvil mounted on said means for turning said anvil, a staple former and driver mounted on said frame and operatively related to said rollers and to said anvil, and means forming a connection between said staple former and driver for feeding the wire downwardly during the ipward stroke of said staple former and rlver.

'i'. A wire stitcher head comprising a eed frame, intermittently rotatable wire on said frame for feeding the wire in the direction of drive, means mounted on said frame for severing the wire, a staple former and driver mounted 1n ing said driver with said feed rollers and connecting said severing'means with said` staple former and driver, whereby on the upward stroke of said former and driver, the wire is fed downwardly by said feeding, rollers and-severed at the conclusion of said feeding operation. l

8. A wlre staple forming and driving machine comprising staple forming and driving devices, a wire feed for feedino' the wire beside and near the path of said devices and actuatedto feed wire by. the return stroke of said devices, and `a Icutter for severing a piece from the end of the wire to make a staple.

9. A wire staple forming and driving machine comprising staple forming and driving devices, a wire feeding mechanism for advancing the wire beside and near the paths in which said devices are moved, said wire vfeed mechanism being actuated by the upward imovement of said devices, a cutter for severing a piece vfrom the end of said said frame, and operative means connec'tlpreparatory to severing and forming the severed piece of wire into a staple.

11. A wire stitching machine comprising a relatively narrow frame, wire feedm rollers mounted on said frame for intermittently feeding wire therebetween, reciprocating sta-ple forming and driving devices-mounted in said frame, a pinion carried by One' of said feed rollers, a reciprocating rack connected with `said device and geared to the pinion-of one of said 'feed rollers for actuating. said rollers for feeding the wire downwardly on the upward stroke of said devices,

comprising staple forming and -1 and a rotatable staple wlre severing'means mounted on said frame and operatively related to said devices for severing the wire at the end of the upward stroke of said device, forming anvil operatively connected with said devices for receiving andsupporting the severed piece of wire therein for formmg the staple.

12- A wire stitcher comprising an intermittently actuated roller feed mechanismfor feeding awire in the direction of drive, means for adjusting said rollers for severing sections of wire of various lengths, staple former and driving devices mounted in said framev and operatively related to said feeding mechanism'whereby the wire is fed down on the' upward stroke of said devices, and means for turning the severed piece of wlre into a position transverse to the feeding di- 'rection and locating the same so that the staple may be positioned for driving it into the work. 1

13."In a wire stitching machine, in com'-v bination with intermittently actuated rollers for feeding wire in the direction of drive, a staple former anddriver operatively related `.to said intermittently rotating. feed rollers and arcta-table staple v mounted in said frame an incassa ing and drivinginechanism mounted on said frame and operatively related to said feeding mechanism, whereby on the upward stroke of said staple former and driver the ,wire is fed downwardly by said feeding mechanism, a staple formin anvil rotatably adapted to be moved in the path of said staplerformer and driver, and spring actuated means carried by said anvil and controlledy by said driver for clamping and releasing the wire ,held4 by said anvil.

16. A stitching machine comprising a frame, intermittently rotatable wire feeding rollers mounted on said frame, a clutcli'op-v eratively connected with one of said rollers fordriving said rollers in one direction, a pinion operatively connected with said lclutch, reciprocating staple forming and driving mechanism mounted in said frame, a rack connected with said staple forming and driving mechanism and meshing with said pinion whereby on the upward stroke of said staple forming and driving mechanism the wire is fed downwardly, and severing means operatively connected with said staple forming and driving mechanism for Severin the wire thus fed and at the conclusion o? the feeding operation of said feeding mechamsm.

17. A wire stitching machine comprising a frame, intermittently rotatable rollers mounted on said frame for feeding wire therebetween, reciprocating driving block mounted on said frame, a sta le driver securedto said driving block, said block having a longitudinally extending bore therein, a reciprocating pin mounted in said bore, a staple former mounted in said frame and secured to said pin and means for locking said pin against movement with respect to said Yblock wherebyv said former and driver move in unison to a predetermined position, and means for operatively-connecting said reciprocating block to said rollers whereby the; wire is fed downwardly-by said rollers on the. upward movement of said block.

18. A stitching machine comprising a A frame,` intermittently actuated rotatable rollers mounted on said framefor feeding the wire therebetween, a reciprocating drivmeehanism mounted on said ing block mounted in said frame, a staple driver secured to said frame, a reciprocating pin movable vertically in a bore located in said block, a spring mounted in the vrecess formed in the upper end of said pin for normallky pressing said pin to its lowermost position with respect to said block, a staple former reciprocally mounted in said frame and `rigidly connected to said pin, means for locking said reciprocating pin to said reciprocating block, a cam mounted on saidA frameand engageable With said locking pin for releasing said former from saidblock I whereby said block may actuate said staple driver downwardly relative to said former,

a severing means mounted on said frame, a

reciprocating bar mounted on said yframe and engageable with said block for actuating said severing means to cut thewire on the upward stroke of said block, and means for operatively connecting said block with said feed rollers for feeding the wire downward .ly on the upward movement. of said block.

19. A .stitching machine comprising a frame, intermittently rotatable wire feed rollers mounted on said frame for feeding a wire downwardly in the direction of drive, a reciprocating block mounted insaid fiame, a staple driver secured to said block, a reciprocating pin mounted in a bore in ,said block, a spring mounted in the reces's formed in said pinl for normally pressing said pin to its lowermost position with respect to said block, a staple former secured to said pin and a locking member mounted in said block and engageable in a recess located in said pinfor rigidly locking said staple former and driver together, camming means mount- -ed on said frame and .engageable with said locking member for locking said reciprocating pin with respect to saidblock, a cutter box mounted on said framehaving a transverse movable cutter knife mounted therein, an actuating lever mounted in said frame having a portion thereof, adapted to vengage said 'actuating member, a roJection formed on said reciprocating bloc with said 'bar for actuating said knife, a rotatable sta le forming anvil mounted on said frame or receiving a wire in a slot formed on the inner end thereof, a recipro- 'cating bar mounted in said frame' and engageable with said reciprocating block, and a connecting member connecting said anvil with said reciprocating bar for actuating said anvil by thel movement of said reciprocatingbar.

20. A wire stitching machine comprising a frame, intermittently rotatable feed rollers mounted on said frame for feeding the wire therebetween, a ratchet operatively related to one of said rollers for actuating said rollers in one direction, a reciprocatin block mounted in said frame, a staple driver secured to.` said block, a reciprocating pin and engageable 1 O v i 1,762,235

mounted in the bore in said block, a staple former secured to said pin, means for locking said pin against movement with respect to said block; means for unlocking said pin 5 from said block whereby said staple driver may move relatively to said staple former, a rack secured to said block, and a clutch mechanism carried by one of said feed rollers whereby on the upward stroke of said block the wire is fed downwardly and on the downward stroke of said block said clutch permits said feed rollers to remain stationary. x 1

21. A wire stitcher comprising the mechanism for feeding wire in a direction parallel to the direction of the drive, a wire feeding mechanisma staple forming and driving mechanism, and means for feeding the wire thereto during the.v non-working 2o stroke 'of said staple forming and driving mechanism. 22.-A wire stitcher comprising intermittently actuated rollers for feeding the wire parallel to the direction of drive, wire severing means, `staple forming and driving means, and means operatively connecting said staple forming and driving means with said roller for feeding the wire downwardly on the upward non-worlng stroke of said stalple' forming and driving mechanism.

n testimony whereof we have signed our names to this specification on this 2nd day of Oct., A. D. 1928.

. IRVING R. METCALF. a5 GEORGE L. RICHARDSON.

- JOHN WOLF. 

